Manhattan

Visiting Midtown during the holidays will be more festive and less stressful this year. Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced plans to fully pedestrianize Fifth Avenue from 48th and 59th Streets on three Sundays in December, expanding the open street by three blocks to reach Central Park. Plus, certain streets around Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall will be closed to cars every day throughout the holiday season, reducing crowds and making it safer for the hundreds of thousands of people visiting the iconic Christmas Tree, holiday window displays, and the Rockettes.
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SHOP THE LISTING: $3.5M Flatiron condo channels a dreamy Paris apartment with an upstairs atelier

Listing photos courtesy of Eytan Stern Weber of Evan Joseph

November 6, 2023

SHOP THE LISTING: $3.5M Flatiron condo channels a dreamy Paris apartment with an upstairs atelier

If you’ve dreamed of waking up in a Parisian flat and stepping out to the terrace for morning coffee and al fresco dining, this Flatiron condo at 10 East 22nd Street might be exactement ce que vous recherchez. Asking $3,495,000, this Manhattan penthouse is currently configured as a one-bedroom home, but a flexible floor plan has room for two additional bedrooms. A skylit atelier and verdant landscaped terraces make this two-story space a chic refuge from the New York City grind. If you love the interior design of this home, we’ve sourced a few key pieces that are identical or similar to the items in the listing photos. So you can get the look–without having to move.
shop the listing, this way

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Vintage NYC subway rides are back every Saturday during the holidays

Photo: MTA New York City Transit / Marc Hermann on Flickr

November 6, 2023

Vintage NYC subway rides are back every Saturday during the holidays

The New York Transit Museum's Holiday Nostalgia Rides are back this season. Every Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas, New Yorkers can embark on old-school NYC subway trains in Manhattan from 2nd Avenue on the uptown F line platform and 145th on the downtown D line platform. The Holiday Nostalgia rides include eight cars used in the 1930s.
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Construction officially begins on Hudson River tunnel project

Photo courtesy of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office on Flickr

November 3, 2023

Construction officially begins on Hudson River tunnel project

Work to replace a decaying rail tunnel under the Hudson River is moving ahead after receiving $3.8 billion in federal funding. Gov. Kathy Hochul, United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Chuck Schumer and other officials on Friday announced the start of the first phase of the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel Project, part of the Gateway Program. This early phase of the project will create concrete casings for trains to travel under the Hudson River and through to Pennsylvania Station and will raise a section of road in New Jersey that will feed into the mouth of the new tunnel.
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Morris Adjmi’s 100-unit Soho project approved by LPC, the first under rezoning

Rendering courtesy of Morris Adjmi Architects

November 2, 2023

Morris Adjmi’s 100-unit Soho project approved by LPC, the first under rezoning

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday approved plans for a 13-story mixed-use building with 100 housing units at 277 Canal Street, a landmarked three-story building atop the Canal Street subway station. Developed by United American Land (UAL) and designed by Morris Adjmi, the project is the first development to be approved for the historic district following the Soho/Noho rezoning that passed in 2021.
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New Developments

Photo credit: © Travis Mark

November 2, 2023

This $17M West Village townhouse is a glass-walled modern home behind a restored historic facade

Many dream of a townhouse in the West Village, and this four-story home at 31 Grove Street, asking $16,995,000, is suitably dreamy. One of a pair of 1841 Greek Revival brick homes, its 19th-century facade has been completely restored to its historic beauty, while the home's interiors are a modern design lover's fantasy. A carefully considered 2018 renovation resulted in indoor and outdoor spaces that make the historic townhouse timeless. On four floors, the multi-family property configured as a single-family home currently offers four bedrooms (with plenty of flexibility for more), a landscaped back garden, a private roof deck and a full cellar.
take the townhouse tour

Distinctive Homes

6-acre light installation at proposed Midtown East casino site to open in December

All renderings courtesy of the Soloviev Foundation

November 2, 2023

6-acre light installation at proposed Midtown East casino site to open in December

A sprawling light installation coming to the site of a proposed casino in Midtown East is opening next month. Designed by Bruce Munro, Field of Light at Freedom Plaza includes 17,000 low-light, fiber-optic stemmed spheres that change hues and create a dreamlike landscape across six acres near the United Nations headquarters. Free tickets are now available to book to visit the installation, which officially debuts December 15. The display is financed by the Soloviev Group, which owns the vacant land and is looking to build a mixed-use development called Freedom Plaza, anchored by a casino.
learn more about the installation

Photo credit: Kenneth Chen of Evan Joseph Images for Douglas Elliman

November 1, 2023

Famed photographer William Wegman just listed his Chelsea townhouse/studio for $16.5M

American artist William Wegman, best known for his archly anthropomorphic portraits of Weimaraner dogs, is selling his Chelsea home at 245 West 18th Street. Built in 1915, the two-story, 45-foot-wide building formerly housed the Chelsea Day School; it has served as the artist's main studio as well as his family home for three decades. The live/work townhouse itself has a total of 5,834 square feet of interior space, along with a cellar. With 18,235 square feet of additional development rights, a curb cut and indoor parking, the property adds up to an unusual New York City opportunity.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

A first look at this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Image courtesy of Tishman Speyer

November 1, 2023

A first look at this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has officially been selected. The 80-foot-tall Norway Spruce comes from Vestal, a suburb of Binghamton, and will be cut down next Thursday and arrive at Rockefeller Center on Saturday, November 11. After the world-famous tree is decorated with thousands of sparkling lights and crowned with its Swarovski star, the annual tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 29.
read more about this year's tree

Events & Things To Do

Beautiful ‘ofrenda’ on display at Rockefeller Center for Day of the Dead celebration

All photos courtesy of Tequila Casa Dragones

October 31, 2023

Beautiful ‘ofrenda’ on display at Rockefeller Center for Day of the Dead celebration

Mexico Week has returned to Rockefeller Center for the third year in a row, giving New Yorkers an opportunity to honor Mexican heritage and Día de Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, over the course of a week-long celebration. As part of the annual celebration, guests can experience Mexican art, food, music, and culture across the Rockefeller Center campus through a series of free events. Mexico Week runs through November 2.
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Events & Things To Do

Dramatic triplex condo on historic Stuyvesant Square in Gramercy asks $1.5M

All photos courtesy of DDreps Andrew Brincka

October 31, 2023

Dramatic triplex condo on historic Stuyvesant Square in Gramercy asks $1.5M

Here's an opportunity to own a renovated one-bedroom condo in one of the most attractive buildings in Gramercy. Facing the historic Stuyvesant Square Park, the home takes up three levels (including a bonus attic space) at 305 Second Avenue, a building also known as Rutherford Place. Designed by prolific architect R. H. Robertson, the 10-story building was built as a hospital in 1902 and gifted to the city by J.P. Morgan. Asking $1,545,000, the available residence features 20-foot ceilings, park views, a mullioned glass wall, and 21st-century amenities.
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Distinctive Homes

At 50, the Village Halloween Parade has become New York City’s ‘healing ritual’

All photos courtesy of New York’s Village Halloween Parade

October 30, 2023

At 50, the Village Halloween Parade has become New York City’s ‘healing ritual’

By Lidia Ryan

Fifty years ago, Ralph Lee took a walk around Greenwich Village with his puppets on Halloween night. It resonated with people. A couple of years later, as part of the City in the Streets program, Theater for the New City stepped in and produced the event on a larger scale, hitting more Village streets and attracting more participants. After Lee stopped his involvement with the parade, Jeanne Fleming stepped in. Today, over four decades under Fleming’s careful eye as artistic and producing director, the Village Halloween Parade is a part of New York City’s cultural identity — an event that through hardship and triumph over the past 50 years, has remained a ritual.
more on on the iconic event here

Photo courtesy of Elegran | Forbes Global Properties

October 27, 2023

For the price of a two-bedroom condo, this $2.5M Kips Bay property is a townhouse with potential

Sometimes the best finds are hiding in plain sight. According to the listing, this unassuming building at 240 East 29th Street is the lowest-priced townhouse in Manhattan south of Central Park. It will require some effort to achieve peak townhouse status, but the best things in life often do. Asking $2.5 million, the Kips Bay property presents a wealth of investment opportunities, with lots of advantages from the start.
a diamond in the rough, this way

Distinctive Homes

Village home and studio of Roy Lichtenstein opens after renovation, honored with historic plaque

Photo courtesy of Village Preservation on Flickr

October 27, 2023

Village home and studio of Roy Lichtenstein opens after renovation, honored with historic plaque

The Whitney Museum of American Art and Village Preservation on Thursday unveiled a historic plaque at the Greenwich Village home and studio of the renowned artist Roy Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein lived and worked at the 11,000-square-foot building at 741-745 Washington Street from 1988 until his passing in 1997. The building, constructed in 1912 as a metalworking shop, has officially reopened after receiving a full renovation by Los Angeles-based architects Johnston Marklee. The building now serves as the first permanent home for the museum's Independent Study Program (ISP), which supports future artists and scholars.
learn more about the famed studio

Flatiron Building to become luxury condos

Photo by David Becker on Unsplash

October 26, 2023

Flatiron Building to become luxury condos

One of New York City's most famous office buildings is going residential. Developer Brodsky Organization has bought a stake in the Flatiron Building and plans to work with the current owners to turn the landmark into a luxury condominium, as The Real Deal first reported.
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Real Estate Trends

190-year-old West Village wooden house with storied history asks $6M

All photos courtesy of Allyson Lubow for The Corcoran Group

October 26, 2023

190-year-old West Village wooden house with storied history asks $6M

A 19th-century wooden house in the West Village that has lived many lives over its nearly 190-year-old history is now on the market. Built in 1834, the property at 392 West Street (also known as 6 Weehawken Street) was originally part of the open-air Greenwich Market and later operated as a tavern, cigar store, pool hall, speakeasy, and two gay bars. The building's last owner, Jean-Louis Goldwater Bourgeois, made headlines in recent years after claiming he would leave the home to the Lenape people, the original Manhattanites. But when Bourgeois died last year, the house went to his estate and is now on the market for $6,000,000, as Gothamist reported.
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NYC breaks ground on Inwood performing arts center dedicated to immigrant experience

Renderings courtesy of the People’s Theatre Project

October 26, 2023

NYC breaks ground on Inwood performing arts center dedicated to immigrant experience

Officials on Wednesday celebrated the groundbreaking of The People's Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante, a 19,000-square-foot performing arts and research center in Inwood dedicated to immigrants and the immigrant experience. Designed by woman-and-immigrant-owned architecture firm WORKac and theater and acoustics consultant Charcoalblue, the center will feature a flexible midsize theater, a smaller performance space, rehearsal studios, a soundproof practice room, gallery space, and educational programming. Centro Cultural Immigrante, located within a huge mixed-use development at 405-407 West 206th Street, is scheduled to open its doors in 2026.
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Events & Things To Do

Supportive housing development for homeless LGBTQ young adults opens in Harlem

Image courtesy of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

October 25, 2023

Supportive housing development for homeless LGBTQ young adults opens in Harlem

A new housing development with supportive services for LGBTQIA+ young adults opened in Harlem this week. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced on Tuesday the completion of Homeward Central Harlem, a residential project with 50 apartments and on-site services provided by Homeward NYC, a non-profit that provides housing and support for homeless New Yorkers. The nine-story building at 15 West 118th Street will offer counseling, case management, group activities, skills-building programs, and connections to community resources.
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Affordable Housing

Bjarke Ingels’ terrace-wrapped office tower The Spiral opens in Hudson Yards

Photos courtesy of Laurian Ghinitoiu for BIG unless otherwise noted

October 25, 2023

Bjarke Ingels’ terrace-wrapped office tower The Spiral opens in Hudson Yards

It's BIG's biggest yet. Bjarke Ingels Group on Tuesday announced the completion of The Spiral, a 66-story office tower in Hudson Yards. The skyscraper at 66 Hudson Boulevard measures 2.8 million square feet and rises just over 1,031 feet tall, making it the architecture firm's first completed supertall. In addition to its soaring height, The Spiral stands out for its series of cascading terraces that wrap around the building, "like a 1,000-foot-tall vine at the scale of the city's skyline," as the architect described.
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Photo courtesy of Fox Residential

October 24, 2023

Enjoy your own four-bedroom Versailles on the Upper East Side for $8M

As if a Fifth Avenue address isn't elegant enough, this four-bedroom co-op at 910 Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side offers Gilded Age glamour in every detail along with Central Park vistas and a private terrace. At 4,200 square feet, this Manhattan home, asking $7,975,000, is townhouse-sized, with perks like a private elevator landing, service elevator, staff quarters, and much, much more.
step into the drawing room

This $8M Tribeca duplex means you don’t have to choose between downtown loft and doorman condo

Photo courtesy of Edward Menashy. All other photos courtesy of Evan Joseph.

October 23, 2023

This $8M Tribeca duplex means you don’t have to choose between downtown loft and doorman condo

If you've always dreamed of a massive loft in an old cast iron building in Tribeca, this 2,935-square-foot duplex at 143 Reade Street fits the bill, with ceilings of nearly 12 feet, massive windows, and hangar-sized open space for entertaining. But lofts can lack amenities and modern comforts. Asking $7,995,000, this 21st-century condo checks that box, too. Add panoramic city views from every room–with the added bonus of outdoor space in the form of one of the neighborhood's finest landscaped terraces.
loft with a view, this way

Distinctive Homes

Midtown East casino proposal adds Bjarke Ingels and 500 affordable apartments

Rendering of Freedom Tower by Negativ

October 23, 2023

Midtown East casino proposal adds Bjarke Ingels and 500 affordable apartments

A developer hoping to build a casino near the United Nations is adding two components to its plan to appeal to New Yorkers: a famous architect and hundreds of affordable apartments. Soloviev Group last week announced its proposed mixed-use development in Midtown East dubbed Freedom Plaza will include 1,325 apartments with more than 500 of them permanently affordable. Plus, as the New York Times first reported, starchitect Bjarke Ingels will design the project, which includes a hotel, museum, public green space, and an underground casino.
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Policy

Photo credit: Richard Caplan

October 20, 2023

For $9M, this jumbo Nomad loft is a home, event space, office, and spa all in one

This 5,500-square-foot loft co-op spans the entire ninth floor of 38 West 26th Street in the super-buzzy Nomad neighborhood. With this much space, the five-bedroom home, asking $8,995,000, is mansion-sized, with enough rooms for the whole family–and their friends, guests, and pets. There's room for office spaces, media and family rooms, a sauna, and more, with the sprawling common areas loft lovers crave. A high floor and four exposures mean great light and iconic New York City views.
Large loft living, this way

Distinctive Homes

Mayor Adams to host haunted Halloween party at Gracie Mansion

Halloween at Gracie Mansion 2021. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

October 20, 2023

Mayor Adams to host haunted Halloween party at Gracie Mansion

The grounds of Gracie Mansion are getting a haunted makeover this Halloween. Mayor Eric Adams will open the People's House to young New Yorkers for trick-or-treating, a corn maze, and a spooky graveyard. Adams, who previously said he thinks ghosts reside at the Yorkville mansion, has set aside tickets to the two-day event for about 300 families in the city's shelter system and those seeking asylum.
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Events & Things To Do

Restoration of Richard Haas’ trompe-l’oeil mural in Soho begins

112 Prince Street mural in 1974 (left) and during the current restoration project (right). Photos: CITYarts

October 19, 2023

Restoration of Richard Haas’ trompe-l’oeil mural in Soho begins

After years of deterioration, Richard Haas' iconic mural on the outside of a building in Soho will be restored. Painted in 1975, the five-story-high mural depicts a faux cast-iron facade painted to look like a continuation of the late 19th-century building at 112 Prince Street. Natural elements, time, and graffiti have made the mural unrecognizable, with the artwork almost completely faded. Work to bring the mural back to life began this week, with the project expected to be completed in November.
details here

The best bar in North America is on the Lower East Side

Double Chicken Please, image courtesy of World’s 50 Best Bars

October 19, 2023

The best bar in North America is on the Lower East Side